Spring, in Arcadia and Anhui

[sdi]

---

The golden age was first; when Man yet new,
No rule but uncorrupted reason knew:
And, with a native bent, did good pursue.
Unforc'd by punishment, un-aw'd by fear,
His words were simple, and his soul sincere;
Needless was written law, where none opprest:
The law of Man was written in his breast:
No suppliant crowds before the judge appear'd,
No court erected yet, nor cause was heard:
But all was safe, for conscience was their guard.
The mountain-trees in distant prospect please,
E're yet the pine descended to the seas:
E're sails were spread, new oceans to explore:
And happy mortals, unconcern'd for more,
Confin'd their wishes to their native shore.
No walls were yet; nor fence, nor mote, nor mound,
Nor drum was heard, nor trumpet's angry sound:
Nor swords were forg'd; but void of care and crime,
The soft creation slept away their time.

(Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book I, as translated by Dryden et al)

---

In the age when life on earth was full, no one paid any special attention to worthy men, nor did they single out the talented. Rulers were like the highest branches on a tree and the people were like deer in the woods. They were honest and righteous without realizing they were "doing their duty." They cared for each other and did not know that this was "loving thy neighbor." They deceived no one yet did not know that they were "men of their word." They were reliable and did not know that this was "good faith." They lived freely together giving and taking, and did not know that they were generous. This is why their path left no trail behind. This is why they made no history.

(Zhuangzi, Ch. II, adapted by yours truly)

Comments

[boccaderlupo]

This calls to mind a saying from the Tao:

"When the Great Tao was abandoned,
there appeared humanity and justice...
when darkness and disorder began to reign in a kingdom,
there appeared the loyal ministers." (Wu translation)

[sdi]

Yes, exactly so! I think on that chapter often.